Board game apparatus comprising means for conducting periodic auction sales during play



Aprll 14, 1970 D. R. STADLER 3,505,268

BOARD GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS FOR CONDUCTING PERIODIC AUCTION SALES DURING PLAY Filed Sept. 11, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DA V/D R. S'T/IDLEA ,4 TTOR/YE Y 3,506,:2 68 BOARD GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS FOR CONDUCTING April 14, 1970 STADLER PERIODIC AUCTION SALES DURING PLAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 11 1967 INVENTOR. DA V/D R. ST/JDL E? ATTORNEY United States Patent BOARD GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS FOR CONDUCTING PERIODIC AUCTION SALES DURING PLAY David R. Stadler, 18339 47th Place NE., Seattle, Wash. 98155 Filed Sept. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 666,667 Int. Cl. A63f 3/02 US. Cl. 273-134 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game board having thereon a plurality of playing paths, each playing path having a variety of playing stations thereon, some of which are subject to proprietary rights of individual players and some of which are bonus or penalty stations. Individual player travel markers are provided to visually indicate the extent of travel determined by chance means operated alternately by the individual players of the game. Individual player proprietary markers are employed to visually indicate the rights of individual players respecting the said proprietary stations. Auction sales of player proprietary markers are held from time to time in accordance with predetermined conditions of play of the game and said auction sales means comprise a dial face having progressively decreasing indicia values thereon, an electrically driven pointer registering with said indicia on said dial face, and an individual electric switch means for each player to stop movement of said pointer and to operate an electric signal lamp.

My invention relates in general to a game employing playing paths, stations of different characteristics thereon, player markers indicating travel on said paths, chance means for determining the extent of such travel, and mechanical auction sales means operable periodically during the game in accordance with conditions of play of the game.

It is an object of my invention to provide some of said stations on said paths as proprietary stations in which a player may obtain rights and player proprietary markers indicating the player possessing said rights, and this in combination with auction sales means operable periodically to sell some of said player proprietary markers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game of economic competition between players during which the value of proprietary markers, offered at auction sales, will be unequal to different players, thus requiring sagacious selection at an auction of what the said markers may be worth to a player and what they may be worth to an adversary of such player.

Another object of my invention is to provide mechanical means to determine a players bid price during an auction sale, which mechanical means include a dial face having price indicia thereon and a stopable driven pointer movable in registration with said indicia, and player operable stop means for said pointer, the operation of which by a player mechanically denotes his auction bid price.

Another more specific object of my invention is to provide such mechanical means in the form of a dial face having price indicia thereon, an electrically driven pointer in registration with said indica, and a player operable electric switch means, the operation of which by a player stops said pointer and the particular indicium in registration with the stopped pointer indicates the bid amount of the player actuating his electrical switch means.

It is another object of my invention to arrange the indicia on said dial face in a progressively decreasing sequence of amounts. Preferably such sequence of decrease is in a clockwise direction, so that a pointer moving in a clockwise direction continues to sequentially register with progressively decreasing amounts until said pointer is stopped. This permits the use of standard clock mechanism to power the movement of the pointer.

Another more specific object of my invention is to provide electric lamp means operable conjointly with the stopping of said pointer by said electric switch means to indicate, in addition to the auction bid price, the player stoppng said pointer and making said bid.

Another more specific object of my invention is to provide a plurality of said electrical switches, a plurality of said electric lamps, and an electrically integrated circuit therefor, so that only the first operated of said electrical switches causes stopping of said pointer and illumination of the related electrical lamp.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects and advantages of my invention that will appear or become implicit and be understood as this specification progresses, I have provided details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the game board embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a form of proprietary marker which may be used in connection with my invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a marker to indicate an individual players ownership of the proprietary markers of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of dice chance means which may be used in my invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of chance spinner means which may be used in my invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating money representative pieces and holding means therefor which may be used in my invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a form of player posi tion indicating means or individual player travel markers which may be used in my invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of an electrical circuit of my invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic electrical diagram of an alternate electrical circuit of my invention.

In the drawings, I have illustrated a plurality of playing paths 10, 12, and 14, each having thereon, respectively, a plurality of stations 16, 18, and 20. As illustrative thereof, but not as limitation, I have shown concentric rectangular playing paths. Also, as an illustration but not as a limitation, I have shown forty stations on playing paths 10 and 12 and thirty-two on playing path 14. There may be the same number of stations on each path or each playing path may have thereon a different number of stations. While many benefits of my invention will be obtained by the use of a single playing path, I prefer a plurality of playing paths and I prefer that such playing paths have different values during the play of the game and, hence, to better describe the values of such playing paths, I often will refer to playing path 10 as Skidroad path; playing path 12 as Capital Hill playing path; and path 14 as Laurelhurst path. Such names have neighborhood evaluation in some cities and are apt in designating playing paths of different Values and for purposes herein later described.

On each of said playing paths, there are a plurality of spaced proprietary stations 22 and means thereon to receive proprietary markers 23 (FIG. 2). The stations 22 are illustrated as having openings or holes 36 to receive such markers. There are five sets (ten in each set) of markers 23 numbered 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32. I desire to have the sets of proprietary markers distinguishable, each from the others, and for this purpose colors are suitable. I have by words on FIG. 1 (size limitations preventing use of symbols) indicated that the set 24 of markers 23 in depositary 60 is red; set 26 in depositary 62 is black; set 28 in depositary- 64 is blue; set 30* in depositary 66 is green; and set 32 in depositary 68 is white.

The game board 34, on which the playing paths 10, 12, and 14 are laid out, may be of any suitable material, such as plywood, hardboard, chipboard, Masonite, card-board, and the like, to provide for suitable durability, lightness and ability to lie flat, and preferably one which may be drilled to provide openings or holes 36 therein to indicate proprietary stations 22 and detachably receive proprietary of marker 23. In FIG. 2, I have illustrated a simple form of marker 23 and the markers of each set 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 may embody this form, the sets being distinguished by color. This is more economical than having the sets distinguished from each other by form. In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a decorative upper or head portion 38, which may be either ornate or very simple, and which terminates in a peglike portion 40. The peglike portions 40 readily interfit With the holes 36 in the proprietary stations 22 for detachable reception. Other means may be utilized in providing proprietary stations 22 with appropriate proprietary markers, rather than holes and pegs. For example, pegs and markers having holes therein as illustrated in connection with pegs 74 and perforate money markers 70 and 72, hereinafter described in connection with FIG. 6, could be used, but a game board 34 having drilled openings therein and pegs to fit holes in the same provide an economical construction, a game board which may be handled with normal care during merchandising and without damage to the game board and parts, and a convenient and attractive game.

During the play of the game, as will be hereinafter explained, each player is given a player position indicating means 41 (FIG. 7) functioning as an individual player travel marker. There will be a separate color for the marker of each player so that the chance of confusing player positions is eliminated. Thus, if there are four players, each player will be assigned a player position indicating means 41 of a different color, such as red, black, blue, or green.

In order to determine the amount of movement of a player and in turn the movement of his or her player marker or player position indicating means 41, chance means are operated in sequence by the players and the starting player can be determined in accordance with rules. For example, if players are positioned about the game board in a sequence illustrated by player positions illustrated on FIG. 1 as Player 44, Player 46, Player 48, and Player 50, the Player 44 may be considered the first player and the players thereafter will be determined in a rotation direction, such as counterclockwise.

I prefer to not only provide proprietary stations 22 but also to provide penalty or bonus stations 52. As bonus stations tend to lengthen the time of play of the game, I preferably provide more bonus stations than penalty stations. The stations 52 are indicated by cross hatch lines. Commencing with the first station 52 on playing path 14 (Laurelhurst) and occurring in a counterclockwise direction after the starting position designated by S, such stations 52 may have designations thereon as: Bonds mature,

collect $30; Consulting fee, collect $40; Medical fee, collect $30; Expense account, collect $20; and Aircraft design, pay bank $30. The central playing path 12 (Capital Hill) may have stations 52 thereon, which, in consecutive order starting with the first station 52 after station S, have designations thereon consecutively reading: TV repair, collect $20; Carpentry, collect $10; Plumbing, collect $30; Public relations, pay bank $20; Ski equipment, collect $20; Barbering, collect $10; Christmas bonus, collect $30; and Salesman, collect $20. The remaining playing path 10 (Skidroad) may include stations 52 having thereon such designations as: Night clerk, collect $10; Bean pickers, collect $10; Janitor, pay bank $10; Street cleaner, collect $10; Short order cook, collect $10; Shoe repair, collect $10; Dishwashing, collect $10; and Newspapers, collect $10.

Chance means are provided to determine the extent of travel of the individual players and in turn of their player position markers 41, which are distinguishable, each from the others, as by color. Such chance means may be the dice 54 shown in FIG. 4, or other chance means, such as the spinner means indicated in FIG. 5, having a freely rotatably mounted indicating hand 56 mounted for spinning movement by being flipped by a finger of a player and which spinning hand 56 is mounted to register with the numerals on the dial face '58 having values which will be commensurate with values which can be obtained by rolling of the dice 54. Other types of chance means may be employed in determining the extent of movement of the players and in turn the movement of the individual player position markers 41, but the dice and spinner means shown are the most commonly used under somewhat similar situations.

The depositary 60 will be adjacent said player position 44; the depositary 62 for set 26 will be adjacent the player 46; the depositary 64 for set 28 will be adjacent the player 48; and the depositary 66 for set 30* will be adjacent the player 50. Under a set of rules (later set forth) where each player starts with five properietary markers and may bid at an auction (later described) to purchase a complete set of ten markers, then ten holes in each depositary 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 are sufficient for the purposes of the game. The means provided in the depositary for holding the proprietary markers will match with the holding means for the proprietary markers on stations 22.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings I have indicated money indicating pieces 70 and 72 which have different appearances and represent money values, such as, respectively, $10 and $20. In accordance with a preferable rule of the game, each player will start the game with a predetermined amount of such money. As storage means for said money of each player and providing means so that each player can readily visualize the financial Worth of an opponent, I provide a plurality of pegs 74, preferably removable, in front of each of the players at player stations 44, 46, 48, and 50. With such removable pegs and other removable pegs, the game board is subject to simultaneous multiple drilling during manufacture and purchasers will insert the pegs into holes for use, all of which substantially eliminates possible damage to the board in transit and permits economical manufacture. These pegs 74 are predetermined height in accordance with the thickness of the perforate discs 70 and 72 representing money. Thus, the perforate discs 70 or 72 may *be readily placed on the pegs 74 and only a given amount of money may be in each stack. The players will be required to stack money of the same representative value on each of the pegs 74, and as the pegs are of a definite height, such as a height equivalent to the thickness of five discs 70 or 72, all players of the game can readily look at the money depositary of another player and be readily visually apprised of the exact amount of money possessed by each of his opponents.

Preferably located centrally of the game board 34 is a dial face 76 having printed indicia thereon indicating a price, such as $240, and additional prices decreasing by increments, such as $20, until a price of $20 is reached just prior to the start of a new revolution at $240. The pointer hand 78 may be the second hand of a conventional electric clock mechanism and hence said pointer hand 78 will turn clockwise. Adjacent each of the players is preferably located an electrically illuminable lamp and I have indicated the lamp 80 adjacent the player 44; the lamp 82 adjacent the player 46; the lamp 84 adjacent the player 48; and the lamp 86 adjacent the player 50.

Also, adjacent each of said players is an electric switch mechanism and preferably such switch mechanisms will be positioned adjacent the marginal portions of the board with the switch of each player hidden so the operation thereof will not be exposed to other players. This may be accomplished by simple shielding means 87 as illustrated. I have shown an electric switch mechanism 88 for the player 44; electric switch mechanism 90 for the player 46; electric switch mechanism 92 for the player 48; and electric switch mechanism 94 for the player 50.

The general object is that when an auction is being held (such times will be later described), it is desired to have the indicating hand 78 moving and when the same passes the indicia $240, then the value will decrease and when a player decides to buy at a price indicated by the registration of the hand 78 with indicia on the dial face 76, he will operate the electric switch mechanism adjacent him, which will result in the indicating hand 78 stopping in determinable registration with a particular value indicated on the dial face 76, and at the same time he will illuminate the lamp 80, 82, 84, or 86 which is responsive to his particular electric switch mechanism 88, 90, 92, or 94 located adjacent his playing station.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an electrical diagram is shown schematically illustrating a circuit which may be employed in connection with the stopping of the electric motor 106 for moving indicating hand 78 and for illuminating a lamp 80, 82, 84, or 86. The source of electricity may be batteries or ordinary electric house current. I have illustrated use of the latter and with a step down transformer 96 so that an economical low voltage circuit may be employed in the main. However, due to the availability, at a low cost, of electric clock motors operating on ordinary house current, the circuit indicates use of such a motor. Source electrical energy on conductors 93 and 95 energizes the primary of transformer 96 and the secondary of transformer 96 is represented by source conductors x and a ground (the latter being indicated by the usual symbol). While the source conductors 93 and 95 will be usually connected to the ordinary house current by an electrical cord and pull-out plug connection, I prefer to employ a switch 98 in the secondary circuit. Such a switch may comprise a switch mechanism 98 connected in one of the source conductors, such as source conductor x.

In FIG. 8, energy from source conductor x passes along conductor 100. The electric switches 88, 90, 92, and 94 have normally closed switchblades 102 and switchblades 108 normally held open, as by spring loading. The switchblades 102 of switches 88, 90, 92, and 94 of said FIG. 8 are electrically connected in series with each other and the last thereof connects with a conductor 104, thence through the coil of solenoid controlled switch 97, and thence to the other source of secondary energy (ground). Switch 97 is a normally open switch and closes upon the energizing of the coil thereof. Upon closing of switch 97, energy from source 93 passes through the then closed switchblade of switch 97, through clock motor 106, and thence to the other energy source 95. Solenoid controlled switch 97 permits the use of secondary energy to control operation thereof and at the same time permits the use of primary energy to operate motor 106, a type of motor which is readily available. If a motor 106 is economically available which will operate on secondary energy from sources x and ground, then switch 97 may be eliminated and motor 106 directly connected between conductor 104 and ground. As long as the switch 98 is closed, and the switchblades 102 of the various electrical switches 88, 90, '92, and 94 of said FIG. 8 are in the closed position shown in FIG. 8, the electric motor 106 will be energized and the indicating hand 78 will be rotating.

As previously mentioned, the electric motor 106 may be a conventional electric clock motor and thus the indicating hand 78 will turn one revolution a minute. This is a very suitable speed for the indicating hand 78 of this game and such an electric clock motor provides a suitable and economical source of power. The switchblades 102 of said electrical switches are mechanically interlinked with the other set of switchblades 108, so that when any switchblade 102 moves to open circuit position, the other switchblade 108 of the same switch will move to closed circuit position. Thus, if a particular player decides to make an auction bid and manifests such intention by operating his respective switch 88, 90, 92, or 94, the circuit to electric motor 106 is interrupted and the indicating hand 78 stops. At the same time one of the switchblades 108 will move into closed circuit position and energy along conductor will pass through the switch mechanism of the particular player operating his switch, including his said switchblade 108, through one of the lamps 80, 82, 84, or 86 and thence to the other source of electrical energy (ground), thus illuminating the lamp in the circuit involved. The circuit just described is a simple circuit and has been found very useful in playing the game and has in its favor simplicity and a minimum cost.

However, the circuit illustrated in FIG. 8 and just described has the potential of more than .one of the players depressing the operating buttons of their switch mechanisms 88, 90, 92, or 94 at substantially the same time and hence the possibility of differences of opinion as to which switch Was first operated. Thus, I have shown a somewhat more complex circuit in connection with FIG. 9, which circuit has the advantage of an electrical interlock, so that the first player who operates his switch mechanism will cause his electric lamp to be illuminated and the other circuits involving the switches of the othei" players to be rendered electrically inoperative. Thus, the matter of who is the first player to operate his switch is electrically and positively determined and is not left for possible differences of opinion. In such circuit of FIG. 9, I have illustrated the same source of electrical energy, including transformer 96, switch 98, and electrical source conductors x and ground.

Solenoid controlled switch 110 is a normally open electric switch and the switchblade 112 thereof closes upon the energizing of coil 114 and is spring loaded and opens upon the de-energizing of said coil 114. Normally open, momentarily closing, contact switch 116 may be closed and thus energy from conductor source x will pass along conductor 118, 'through momentarily closed switch 116, along conductor 120, through coil 114, and along conductor 121 to the other source of energy (ground). After said switch 110 is closed, energy passes from source conductor x along conductor 104 and closes switch 97; thus causing electric motor 106 and the dial hand pointer 78 to rotate as described in connection with FIG. 8.

Once the said switch 110 is closed, there is a holding circuit energized which keeps it closed. This holding circuit includes: energy from source x passing along conductor 118, along then closed switchblade 112, along conductor 122 and thence through a plurality of normally closed contact points 124, (energy thus passing from conductor 122 to 132), along conductor 120, through coil 114- and thence to the other source (ground). There is one set of contact points 124 in the switch of each player and the contact points are electrically connected in series with conductors 122, 126, 128, 130, and 132, and conductor 132 is connected with conductor 120. Thus, after solenoid control switch 110 is closed, upon momentary contact of the contact points of switch 116, the said switch 110 is held closed by a holding circuit including therein a series connection through a plurality of normally closed contact points 124 and any of the players may open the circuit by interrupting the contact between his pair of normally closed contact points 124.

Electrical switches 88, 90, 92, and 94 of FIG. 9 include, respectively, normally open switch points 134, 136, 138, and 140 and each includes a set of the normally closed switch points 124. The switches 88, 90, 92, and 94 of FIG. 9 are constructed so that the respective normally open contact points 134, 136, 138, and 140 thereof close before the normally closed switch points 124 (of the switch being operated) open. Thus, the first switch, of switches 88, 90, 92, and 94 of FIG. 9, which is operated, first makes a circuit through points 134, 136, 138, or 140 and then opens the series circuit through a set of contacts 124, the latter opening the holding circuit of switch 110. For example, if player 44 causes momentary contact of points 134, energy from source x passes along conductor 118, along then closed switchblade 112, along conductor 122 (which energizes conductors 126', 128, 130, and 132 with energy from source conductor x for each of the players switch points 134, 136, 138, and 140), and thence along a conductor 144. There is a conductor 144 in each circuit leading from each set of switch points 134, 136, 13 8, and 140. By first closing contact points 134, 136, 138, or 140, and then opening contact points 124, each player has his respective conductor 144 connected with energy source x before such player opens his normally closed switch points 124. With such source of energy x on a conductor 144, a player energizes with x energy his conductor 146. Each player is provided with a solenoid controlled switch mechanism 148, wherein the switchblade 152 thereof is closed upon the energizing of solenoid coil 150 and opens by gravity or spring loading upon the de-energizing of solenoid coil 150*. The x energy on conductor 144 passes along conductor 146, through solenoid coil 150, and along conductor 156 to ground, thus energizing coil 150 and closing the switchblade 152 of the solenoid controlled switch 148. After a player closes his switch 148, by momentary contact of his points 134, 136, 138, or 140, a holding circuit is energized. This holding circuit includes: energy on conductor 154 from source x passing through the then closed Switchblade 152, along conductor 158, along conductor 144, and through coil 150 to ground. Also, energy on a conductor 158 passes through the lamp 80, 82, 84, or 86 of the player closing his normally opened switch points 134, 136, 138, or 140 and opening his normally closed switch points 124 and thus illuminates said lamp' as the said lamp is also connected to ground.

It is important to note that a player closing his normally open switch points 134, 136, 138, or 140 and open ing his normally closed switch points 124 not only illuminates his particular lamp 80', 82, 84, or 86, but also prevents x energy from reaching the conductor 126, 128, 130, or 132 of another player so that after the first player has interrupted the series connection through normally closed contacts 124, no other player can thereafter have energy to illuminate his lamp. Thus, by the electrical interlock, the first player who operates his switch mechanism 134, 136, 138, or 140- will not only illuminate his own lamp but also will electrically prevent any other player from illuminating his lamp and thus differences of opinion regarding priority of operation of switch mechanisms of the players are avoided.

RULES OF PLAY At the beginning of the game, each player of a plurality of players is positioned at a player station 44, 46, 48, or 50. Also, each player is provided with a given amount of money representative pieces 70 and 72. A total amount of $200 of such money may be provided, and thus each player is given five markers 72 representing a sum of and ten markers 70 representing a sum of $100, or a total sum of $200. The pegs 74 are of a height so that there will be three stacks, with five money pieces in each stack, and thus each player can readily see the total money value of any opponent. Also, each player is given a half set, or five, of the proprietary markers 24, 26, 28, or 30. The players locate such markers on stations 22 on the playing paths 10, 12, or 14 and at locations deemed most appropriate by the player, with the players alternating the positioning of their markers, preferably one marker at a time. In view of the fact that these sets of markers 24, 26, 28, and 30 are marked with an appropriate indicating color for each set, the placement of the said markers on the proprietary stations 22 by the players is readily apparent to each player. As pegs and holes (or their equ'ivalents) are involved, obviously only one player can place one of his markers on a given proprietary station 22. Also, I provide a plurality of openings 160 (FIG. 1) adjacent each player 44, 46, 48, and 50 for reception of a suitable marker 42 (FIG. 3) matching in color the color of the players set of markers 23, so the owner of any set of markers 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 is visibly indicated.

All of the players start at the square or station marked S and in a given playing row, such as the playing row 12. The players play sequentially in a counterclockwise direction starting with player 44. Each player operates chance means, such as the dice 54 or the spinner 56, 58, and advances his player position indicating means 41 (FIG. 7) a total number of stations in accordance with the total indicated on said dice or said spinning means. When a players marker 41 lands on a proprietary station 22 having thereon a proprietary marker 23 of a set of markers 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 of another player, he must pay to the proprietary owner thereof $10 if the marker is in playing path 10, $20 if the marker is in playing path 12, and $30 if the marker is in playing path 14. The money is received by the owner of the proprietary marker involved and then such marker 23 goes back into a depositary 60, 62, 64, 66, or 68 in accordance with the color or other indicating means of the marker.

When a player obtains a high enough number of moves from the chance means 54 or 56, 58 for his marker 41 to go to or beyond the finishing square F of the playing path 10, 12, or 14 on which he is playing, his marker 41 goes only to the F playing station and then awaits his next turn (to operate the chance means). When that turn comes, he starts his marker 41 through playing path 12 again if he has between and $250 in cash. If he has over $250, he starts his marker 41 through playing path 14; if he has less than $150, he starts his marker 41 through path 10.

The game may be won in either of two ways. A player who is playing on path 14 and who has more than $400 after completing travel on path 14 is the winner. The other possible way of winning the game is to force all other players into bankruptcy. A player is bankrupt and must leave the game when he does not have sufficient money means before him for paying 011 when his marker 41 comes to rest on a proprietary station 22 which has thereon a proprietary marker of a set of markers 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 of another player.

Key events of my game include the auction sales. In each auction the players compete in the purchase of one set of pieces of merchandise, as ten thereof. Such merchandise may comprise marker sets 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. A Suitable and highly desirable rule is that an auction is held at times when the last piece of any one of an original set of five or more proprietary markers 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 is returned to an appropriate depositary 60, 62, 64, 66, or 68. Preferably, a time delay obtains after the holding of an auction has been determined by the rules and this pause may be effected in the rules by a requirement to play one more round (each player using the chance means once) after such determination. This allows each player to observe the cash position of the various other players and to observe the various positions of the markers 23 of the sets of proprietary markers 24, 26, 28, 30, and- 32 on the game board. Thus, each player has a time period during which he evaluates the price he can afford to pay at the auction for the proprietary markers being auctioned and also judges what the other players can or cannot afford to pay for the same.

The player whose lamp 80, 82, '84, or 86 is first illuminated is the buyer at the auction. Su'ch buyer must pay the bank the sale price indicated by the pointer hand 78 on the dial face 76. To add further zest to the game and to further complicate calculations in determining individual bidding amounts, I provide rules so that the buyer, at the auction, must pay an additional fee of: $20 if he is playing on the playing path 14 (Laurelhurst); $10 if he is playing on the playing path 12 (Capital Hill); and no fee if he is playing on playing path 10 (Skidroad). Immediately after each auction, all players may redistribute their proprietary markers 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 to any unoccupied proprietary stations 22. To determine the order in which players may redistribute their markers, they will distribute them in the following order: the player furthermost along playing path 14 (Laurelhurst) has the first turn; then players at later positions on playing path 14 will follow; then players on playing path 12 will follow and in a similar sequence; and then the least favored players on playing path 10 (Skidroad). After the redistribution of such markers, the play resumes.

If a player lands on a proprietary station 22 carry ing thereon a proprietary marker of a set of markers 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 which he owns, he neither receives nor pays out and his proprietary marker remains on said station.

'If, at the completion of any auction, the total amount of cash on the board has fallen below $150 times the number of players remaining in the game, the board is declared to be a temporary pocket of poverty (until the next auction), and all payments for fees or services from the bank for landing on bonus stations 52 are raised in the sum of $10 to relieve the temporary pocket of poverty. Also, any penalty for landing on a penalty station 52 is suspended.

In order to expedite conditions permitting the calling of an au'ction, any player reaching the station marked F on a playing path 10, 12, or 14 has the option of returning to its matching depositary 60, '62, 64, 66 or 68 any one of the proprietary markers of the set 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 of another player which is on a proprietary station 22 on the path he is playing. The returning price is $10 in the playing path 10, $20 in the playing path 12, and $30 in the playing path 14. The sum so paid goes to the player Whose proprietary marker is so returned.

An extra set of markers 23 may be used. Thus, with four players and four sets 24, 26, 28, and 30 of markers 23, an extra set 32 (white) of markers is used. This set 32 is in the depositary 68 therefor. Thus, a rule is that when the last player reaches the station F in his first complete passage of playing path 12, he is required to call an auction and the auction takes place after a time delay (said delay for reasons previously explained). Thus, for example, after each of the players has had another turn at using the dice 54 or operating the chance means 56, 58, then an auction is held for a predetermined quantity of markers, such as a complete set 32 of ten of the said white proprietary markers. The price to be paid by the successful bidder at the auction for such proprietary markers shall follow the rules previously set forth for other auctions.

From the foregoing it will now be apparent that my game comprises a multiplicity of money representative pieces 70 and 72 whereby each player of the game may start the game with a predetermined amount of money and the amount of such money possessed by any player is readily visible. Next, the game involves a game board 34 having at least one playing path thereon and preferably a plurality thereof, such as playing paths 10, 12, and 14. On these playing paths are a plurality of proprietary stations 22 which are subject to acquisition rights by an individual player. Next, I provide a plurality of player position indicating means 41 positionable on the playing paths 10, 12, and 14. Next, I provide chance means, such as dice 54 or other chance indicating means 56, 58, to determine the extent of travel of the players or, in other words, the amount of movement of the player positioning means 41 in their travel on the various playing paths. Next, I provide a plurality of player proprietary marking means in the nature of sets of markers 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32, which sets are marked to be distinguishable, each from the others, to indicate a player having a proprietary interest in any particular proprietary sta tion 22. Next, I provide in the combination, auction sales means for determining the selling price of a predetermined quantity of player proprietary markers, whenever certain relative positions of said proprietary markers obtain on the playing board. In connection with said auction sales means I provide a dial face 76 having printed indicia thereon determining value and a movable pointer hand 78 which is movable into registration with said indicia on the dial face 76. Said printed indicia are of a gradually decreasing value from a maximum and each player is provided with electrical switch means to stop the travel of the pointer hand 78 when the same is in registration with a value at which he is willing to purchase at the auction. The first player to indicate a bid price at the auction will stop said pointer hand 78 and as evidence thereof such player will illuminate his respective electric lamp. Preferably, there is an electrical interlock so that once a player has stopped the pointer hand 78 and has illuminated his lamp as evidence thereof, the other players are not able to operate their electric circuits and illuminate their respective lamps.

Also, preferably, there has been provided a plurality of playing paths 10 12, and 14, each having different values thereon so that each of the players of the game is presented with separate individual playing problems, all of which tend to increase the perplexities of the game and thus increase the skill of the players in play and create substantial interest in the playing of the game.

Also, it is obvious from the foregoing that I have provided structure and physical combinations which augment the necessity of declaring auctions from time to time so as to increase the interest in the play and to complicate the determination of what is a profitable auction bid for any individual player of the game considering all of the circumstances and conditions of play.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a multiplicity of money representative pieces, whereby each player may start the game with a predetermined amount of such money; a game board having a playing path thereon; a plurality of proprietary stations, on said playing path, subject to acquisition rights by an individual player; a plurality of player position indicating means positionable on said playing path; chance means to determine the extent of travel of the player position indicating means of each player on said playing path; a plurality of player proprietary marking means positionable on said proprietary stations; and auction sales means for determining the selling price of a predetermined quantity of said player proprietary marking means, said auction sales means comprising a dial face having indicia thereon representing graduated amounts of such money arranged in decreasing amounts in a clockwise direction, an electrically driven pointer registering with said indicia on said dial face, said electrically driven pointer being the second 1 1 hand of an electric clock mechanism and moving in a clockwise direction, and an electric circuit for said electric clock mechanism including therein independently operable switch means for each player, for stopping said electric clock mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,491,888 12/1949 Baker. 2,588,817 3/1952 Fortner 273-141 1 2 2,693,961 11/1954 Ripley 273134 3,228,694 1/1966 Johnson 273--134 FOREIGN PATENTS 5 395,710 7/1933 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

